After 13 wonderful seasons of movie references and smart aleck remarks, Michael Weatherly’s Special Agent Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo is leaving NCIS.
DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn’t have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons pic.twitter.com/GR7YSsmsKJ
— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016
Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/eqF5y6GSNw
— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016
Weatherly took to Twitter to assure fans he did not make the decision lightly. CBS backed up the rumors, saying, “He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as ‘Very’ Special Agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make NCIS what it is today — the No. 1 drama in the world. We thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal.”
I will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over the world – THANK YOU, it’s been a fantastic ride!
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— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) January 5, 2016
Whether or not Tony will reunite with Ziva so they can ride off into the sunset remains to be seen. I personally would prefer that to Kate’s departure.
Weatherly will finish out the season, marking around 300 episodes of quirky DiNozzo shenanigans. He has appeared in every episode since the show began in 2003, starring alongside Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), and Dr. Donald Mallard (David McCallum). Perrette starred as Alice Wisdom in Almost Famous (2000). McCallum is most notable for his role as Illya Kuryakin in the 1964 The Man From U.N.C.L.E. TV series, and later reprised the role for the 1983 The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV movie.
Weatherly’s departure will leave Harmon, Perrette, and McCallum as the only core cast still on the air.
Weatherly shared that he has been in talks with CBS about his acting contract, taking a more active role as a producer. He struck a development deal with the network, and is slated to produce a Little Women drama with the CW later this season. CBS and Weatherly confirm his leaving was his own decision.
I, for one, will miss the endless amusement and touching moments brought on by Tony and Gibbs’ relationship. While McGee gets Gibbs-slapped on occasion, Tony is the main target of these gestures of affection. Who is Gibbs going to be a father figure to once Tony leaves?
CBS, I’m saying this now: you had better NOT kill him.